Simple yet effective nutrition mantras for a healthy life

Be Healthy: Add fiber to your diet

The word fiber comes from the Latin word fibra, meaning fiber, thread, string or filament and dietary fiber refers to nutrients in the diet that are not digested by gastrointestinal enzymes. Fiber is also known as roughage. It is the indigestible part of plant foods that pushes through our digestive system, absorbing water along the way and easing bowel movements.

Eating fiber has many benefits for your health. They help prevent constipation. They fill you up without giving too many calories and thus help in weight management. People with type 2 diabetes can lower their blood sugars by increasing the fiber intake. The consumption of soluble fiber has been shown to protect you from developing heart disease by reducing your cholesterol levels.

People with diabetes who consume a lot of fiber tend to need less insulin than those whose fiber intake is low.

Add more fiber and veggies to your diet

Choose whole fruits instead of fruit juice. Fruit has fiber in every part of its structure and can be eaten at any time of the day

Eat a variety of vegetables everyday

Make chapattis using whole wheat flour

Brown rice has more fiber than white rice

Start the day with high fiber whole grain cereal

Try using more peas, beans and lentils. Add beans and legumes to soups

Add flax seeds to salads

Store vegetables in a visible place in your refrigerator. Keep on hand washed, cut raw vegetables such as Carrots, Cucumber, Broccoli, Radish, red and yellow capsicum in a zip lock pouch as ready snack